The Kosciusko girls’ basketball team evened its Region 4-4A record at 2-2 — and improved to 14-5 overall — with victories over Northeast Lauderdale 75-49 and West Lauderdale 68-46. The 75 points against Northeast was the Lady Whippets' high for the season.
“We have some of our pieces back who were quarantined,” said Coach Corey Guyton.
Aaliyah Amey and Jakayla Seawood came off the bench to spark Kosciusko against Northeast Lauderdale. They shared Player of the Game honors, Amey with 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, Seawood with 19 points, six rebounds and two steals. D'naylah Williams had 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
“We started off a little sluggish. We picked it up as the game progressed,” Guyton said. “Our defense creates our offense.”
Kosciusko led West Lauderdale by four at the half.
“We picked up our defensive intensity in the third quarter and pulled away,” said the coach.
Williams was Player of the Game with 20 points and five rebounds. Amey had 11 points, four rebounds and two steals and Mariah Woods 10 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Kosciusko has been playing without Ariel Fleming, last year's leading scorer, since she suffered a leg fracture at a Thanksgiving tournament. Guyton expects to have her back before the region tournament beginning February 7. “That will be an added asset.”
Boys
The Whippets defeated Northeast Lauderdale 64-61 but were beaten by West Lauderdale 64-58.
Keonte Williams, Darion Roby and Jerrey Whitcomb were in double figures in both games. Against Northeast, Williams had 16 points, Roby 15, Whitcomb 12, and Khameron Harvey eight. In the West Lauderdale game, Williams scored 21 points, Whitcomb 14, and Roby 12.
Kosciusko led Northeast Lauderdale 33-27 at the half, stretched the lead to double digits in the fourth quarter, then held on for the win.
“They hit some big shots and got some key rebounds. They're so much bigger than us. They have three guys who are about 6-5. They pounded us on the boards. That helped them close the gap,” Coach Eleazarus Greenleaf said. “We missed some free throws and had some turnovers at crucial times. But we were able to withstand their run and get the win.”
The game with West Lauderdale was close most of the way. Kosciusko trailed 28-27 at the half.
“We played a good game,” Greenleaf said but added, “We missed some free throws and layups. We left a lot of points on the floor. That's not taking anything away from them. They're a good team, well coached.”
The offense had improved from early in the season when the Whippets twice were held under 30 points. “We're starting to play the way I envisioned us to play,” Greenleaf said.
The Whippets are 2-2 in region play.
The boys and girls played Leake Central Tuesday and will be at Choctaw Central Friday. In region standing, Leake Central is first place for boys and Choctaw Central for girls.
